knittingthestash Episode 104: Sweaters and Single Ply Yarn

[@KittenWAW]

As always, lots of great information. If I can metaphoricate for a second, what I've learned from your podcasts are some of the plies which give the yarn of my knitting knowledge much of it's strength and beauty. Thanks.

[@knittingthestash]

Aww, shucks. I'm blushing

[@karencooper1978]

Very informative ….. thanks for another great podcast! Love seeing the sweaters you’ve knitted.

[@knittingthestash]

Thanks so much, Karen!

[@melissafriedrich3171]

Awesome. Video, I learned so much about pairing yarn and pattern, beautiful sweaters and shawl too.

[@knittingthestash]

Thanks, Melissa :)

[@moonfire75]

I enjoyed this very much. I'm newish, just started thinking about a sweater... The description of the singles vs plied and worsted, was fantastic. Subscribed. Looking forward to hearing more!

[@michellelindgren8419]

Hi Melissa. Your talk about yarn was really interesting. For most of my knitting life, I would go to the yarn store and they would have pattern books and the recommended yarn for the patterns. I would buy that yarn. It’s only recently that there are so many choices and so easy to obtain them. I don’t know very much about different kinds of yarn but I like making the choices.

[@knittingthestash]

Thanks, Michelle--always so nice to hear from you. I grew up with the big box stores and Vanna White wool . . . so I hear you! Discovering wool and breeds and specialty yarns has been a huge eye-opener for me over the past 10-12 years.

[@melissaanderson9929]

Hi Melissa! I'm also a professor named Melissa, and I'm thrilled to have found your channel! Pandemic knitting keeps me sane.

[@knittingthestash]

Hi Melissa! Nice to meet you. What's your subject area/research?

[@melissaanderson9929]

@@knittingthestash geology, specifically looking at the metal-rich hot springs that form on submarine volcanoes in the deep sea. How about you? I think there are hints scattered through your podcasts :)

[@knittingthestash]

@@melissaanderson9929 Oh cool, my grandpa was a geologist back in the 1950s and 60s--sounded like a pretty interesting career for him given that the worked in the middle east. I'm an English prof, but I work in the fields of Science and Technology Studies and Lite and Science. Love interdisciplinary research!

[@sandracroley9784]

Lots of great tips, thanks so much 😊

[@ritaglenn6287]

I appreciate you experience! Thank you

[@SoulfulSpinning]

Very interesting discussion, Melissa. I didn’t realize that lettlopi is a true singles yarn. The heavier Alafoss Lopi is w singles loosely plied. I am studying Icelandic wool at the moment. Thanks for a lovely pod!

[@knittingthestash]

Ahh yes, cool! And thanks for the reminder about the Alafoss Lopi--I often forget it's plied!

[@metaspencer]

Always great to see you smiling and talking about what you love to do!

[@knittingthestash]

Always sweet that you stop by

[@joanneyoung1081]

Isabel Kramer’s sweater, Jakers, looked so lovely on you. Thanks for the color op of it. Seeing it on you than the mannequin a big difference.

[@knittingthestash]

Thanks, Joanne! I know what you mean . . . the mannequin only ever tells part of the story :)

[@jacquirickenberg9007]

Hi Melissa what an interesting podcast!! You just popped up on my you tube and I’m about to knit a tee in singles yarn so thank you for all the great tips!! All your knitwear looks fab. Thank you for sharing

[@knittingthestash]

Excellent, Jacqui! So nice to meet you here :)

[@celestegarcia486]

Hi Melissa-- that was a interesting and 'full of good information' podcast on single ply yarn. I've only used it for shawls -- it does have a wonderful drape esp. in fingering weight and is excellent for showing off lace work. That said, I've always shied away from using it for sweaters thinking that it wouldn't have the wear and tear of a 2 ply. Last year when one of the local yarn shops went out of business I purchased a substantial quantity of a single ply yarn thinking that I'd make a big shawl. Now, I'm scratching my chin and thinking that maybe it would be ok to knit a sweater with it? Thanks for a great podcast. I always have lots to think about and learn something all together at the same time after one of your podcasts. Sending good wishes from Oregon where it's hot as heck.

[@knittingthestash]

Oh dear, that's right, you must be in the midst of that heat wave, Celeste! Stay cool!! And knit on with the singles--you may just love the result. Then again, I adore a good singles shawl, too :) I hope you're doing OK!

[@nlturcott5168]

Another good teaching session well done.

[@knittingthestash]

Thank you so much :)

[@nicoletrost5162]

This was a very educational video that raised and answered many questions I’ve had in the past. Thank you for being so thorough. I really liked seeing your garments and hearing your thoughts on the projects.

[@knittingthestash]

Thanks so much for your kind comment, Nicole!

[@melaniesbuchanan1759]

I just love you! As a want-to-be designer, I learn so much from you. Thanks for the time you take in getting all of this info out to us. Much appreciated!

[@knittingthestash]

Oh, thanks so much, Melanie! Looking forward to seeing your designs come out!

[@MikiCrespo]

Thanks so much for sharing. Excellent tips. Really learned about single ply yarns. Love all the garments 💜💜💜

[@knittingthestash]

Thank you, Maria!

[@janetdaniels8816]

Thanks, Melissa. I knit a pullover in the round several years ago with a singles yarn. It did the 'slight' twist which bothered the dickens out of me. The owner of the shop where I bought the yarn disagreed that it was twisting, but I ended up ripping out the whole garment. I've saved the yarn for some future experiment/project. I liked your nuanced analysis of singles.

[@knittingthestash]

Thanks, Janet! I know just what you mean about the twisting . . . it can be aggravating! Especially when it's unintentional! I hope you find s suitable project for the yarn :)

[@carolbyrne45]

Thanks Melissa another great show with lots to think about ❤️

[@knittingthestash]

Thank you, Carol!

[@carolynbjerk7514]

Thank you, very informative.

[@therepublicofme]

Dear Melissa, Thank you for yet another thoughtful episode. I actually love knitting with my handspun singles and have even knitted three jumpers in single ply in the previous year... and they seem fine :) Take care lovely and lots of sunny regards from Cyprus ❤️

[@knittingthestash]

Excellent info, thank you! I do love hearing about all of those single-ply sweaters :)

[@hollynoscar3534]

yes, she had an adorable little shop in kensington market in Toronto called, 'Lettuce Knit'... anyway, i knit an isabel kraemer sweater with a briggs and little singles yarn, and i believe it's the base she uses for her singles... it's VERY similar and have a sneaking suspicion it's the same... however, briggs and little (a Canadian yarn company) is MUCH cheaper and doesn't come in all those gorgeous hand dyed, variegated etc colours. you should give it a try. my sweater has held up for three years now, with a little pilling as normal, but a great strong yarn.

[@knittingthestash]

So cool to hear that you knew about the older shop :) And thanks for the tip . . . it would be hard for me to give up on her colorways, but I am always so curious about yarn bases and how they make the rounds among different shops/dyers! Thanks!!

[@kerfuffle9312]

briggsandlittle.com/history/ One of Canada’s oldest woolen mills here in New Brunswick Canada where Lichen and Lace sources her rustic yarn base. ☺️

[@dianapulido1807]

I just found you and I enjoyed your podcast very much. I learned a lot. Your sweaters are gorgeous. I have yet to knit or crochet a sweater for myself. I have only crocheted a sweater for my grandson when he was a baby and the sleeves did not turn out so well. Good thing he had skinny arms. I found your explanation of helical knitting very interesting and I didn't see the diagonal line till you pointed it out. I'm looking forward to seeing your next podcast.

[@knittingthestash]

Hi Diana, Thanks so much :) First sweaters are always tricky . . . I remember them well and I still knit sweaters that I wish were just a little bit different . . . but it does get easier with time :) See you on the next episode!

[@mrscraftalot]

Great episode! I love your sweater; definitely thinking about knitting that pattern! I'm the one who mentioned wanting non-superwash variegated yarns so I was very excited to hear your experience with Lichen and Lace. I might have to pick some up soon. Take care, Erika

[@knittingthestash]

Thanks, Erika!! And apologies for not remembering that it was you! I'll try to capture things in my notes more clearly next time. I hope you like the yarn--I'll be curious to hear your review!

[@melmakesstuff]

Beautiful FO once again! Thanks for the great exploration of singles yarns, and for showing the knitted examples as well! I have been somewhat of a singles skeptic 😂 but you brought up a ton of good points so I’ll be reevaluating in the future. I always appreciate your fresh takes on these things!

[@knittingthestash]

Thanks, Melissa! I was just watching your 7 Summer Tops video and enjoying all the non-wooly yarns :)

[@margaritadeverson2098]

Thank you for sharing your insight and experience! Such beautiful sweaters!

[@knittingthestash]

Thank you, Margarita!

[@knittysixx5106]

Hi Melissa. It was very interesting going back to this episode because I have a Canadian rustic singles yarn which is gorgeous but biased to all hell in the swatch I knit (very unbalanced) and a sweater’s quantity of super soft singles - merino I think - that has been sitting in my stash because I’ve been afraid of the pilling.

[@knittingthestash]

Oh cool and interesting. These singles can behave very differently depending on so many factors. So are you going to try for a sweater or is this yarn just too biased when knitted?

[@wildcottageknitting]

Thanks a mil for all the info, Melissa! And for chatting about the garter hem- I think that is what I’ll do for my second Ranunculus (& maybe my finished one if I get up the energy to rip back the ribbing when I go to add more length.) I’m excited for your yarn & announcements 😀

[@knittingthestash]

Oh, yes, go for it! I have heard so much about the Ranunculous and need to check it out. I loved your most recent video showing how the sweater fits and looks. The yarn you used is gorgeous and you look beautiful! Your positive messages and language are so needed in this world. I love seeing your kitchen, too :) (and you know I hate ribbing, too!!)

[@wildcottageknitting]

@@knittingthestash 😊🤗

[@vindeljay]

That's great to learn, thank you. Kim from Fleece and Harmony talked about the spinning of yarn in her mill with examples in her last pod cast, episode 74 at 42:24. and explained that twist.

[@knittingthestash]

Oh, cool, Jenny! Thanks for the link and tip!

[@VisitWithNanaAndPapa]

Thank you so much. I am knitting a brioche sweater in MadTosh singles and had so many folks question it. This really helped me not feel so bad about my decision.

[@knittingthestash]

Excellent, Valorie! Knit on with confidence! Oh, and I bet the brioche is gorgeous :)

[@oakbluedesigns]

I really enjoyed the episode! I’m so thankful for your great reminder about singles. I find it encouraging too in thinking about handspun. I love that I can get more yardage with singles in handspun to go farther vs plying for a project as well. Thanks so much for sharing about your projects!

[@knittingthestash]

Thanks, Rachel! Great advice, too, about making fiber/yarn go further :)

[@oakbluedesigns]

@@knittingthestash Thank you! Thank you for sharing the inspiration!!

[@73lmargaret]

This is a nerdy knitter spinner moment.... There are 'singles' yarns that are actually 2 ply. The slight felting gives it away. They have to very low twist angle singles, ply them together again very low twist angle, and then felt the yarn to hold it together so that it looks very much like a singles. This type of preparation over comes bias in singles. My brain is not reliable enough to provide the reference for this. Thank you so much for this episode! I had never considered these types of projects with singles. Very useful information!

[@knittingthestash]

OooO nerd out with me! I love it! Now I must go research this yarn some more to see what's what! Thanks for the tip and information :) Always happy to learn from you.

[@knittingthestash]

Oh, and I triple checked the Rustic Heather Sport is, indeed, a singles. But now I'm on the lookout for the "false" singles you mentioned!!

[@lynncharlesworth8561]

Thank you - so informative. I look forward to your next instalment. Lynn Albany, Western Australia

[@knittingthestash]

Hi Lynn!! All the way from Australia :) Spencer has been talking to some arborists there and it's always so nice to know knitters around the world!

[@canndell]

Thanks Melissa. I learned so much about singles yarn! I’m dying up a single ply worsted weight and am super excited to do a sweater in it!

[@knittingthestash]

So cool, Cindy! I hope I'll get the chance to see some photos!

[@Oliviaplayspokemon]

It amazes me how you knit sweaters up so fast.

[@metaspencer]

I was thinking the same thing

[@knittingthestash]

Aww, thanks! Little bits at night and in the car! This one actually felt like it took forever because I had to rip out so much of it!

[@goldwest53]

This is exactly the info I've been wanting to hear! Thanks so much.

[@knittingthestash]

Yay! Thanks, Kathi! Onward with singles!

[@andreapgn]

Loved this episode Melisa!

[@knittingthestash]

Thank you, Andrea :)

[@newmoonjlp]

Interesting. I've never seen helical knitting done that way. I learned to stop a few stitches short, slip to where I dropped the last strand, then pick up knitting with the new strand from there..

[@Ramphastos333]

Me as well! I think it's knitter's choice; I do like the slipping of a few stitches beforehand, just because I tend to pull a bit too tight when I change yarns and that line is much more noticeable.

[@knittingthestash]

Hi Judy, I've seen it done the way you describe as well; I just enjoyed doing things differently sometimes. I think either way can work if you're careful about your tension :)

[@knittingthestash]

@@Ramphastos333 Agreed! Lots of ways to do things and tension is absolutely key :)

[@newmoonjlp]

@@knittingthestash I want to try it this way, too, just to see what it's like. Different techniques come into play for different applications, so it's good to collect all the tools.

[@knittingthestash]

@@newmoonjlp agreed! I love collecting all the ways and tips. You never know when you'll need to modify ;)

[@hollyscott8772]

Thanks as always for your thoughtful approach to knitting. I admit to having bias against singles yarn which you have dispelled, but I wonder about unspun yarn. I have loved some of the designs made with plotulopi, for example, but as a spinner, I wonder about the integrity of that roving, essentially. Love your new sweater!

[@knittingthestash]

Yes, agreed on the unspun roving, Holly . . . I would worry about that, too. But the spun (and slightly felted) singles--wherever you find them--are pretty great :)

[@myphotoworldjeankd4001]

Great info as always. Just might have to experiment with some Single (no ply) yarn.

[@knittingthestash]

yay! Yes, go for it! :)

[@ruthallan4289]

So interesting! I always learn something from you. I recently completed a Sceal Gra sweater by LBHandknits in Lichen and Lace rustic heather Sport and really love it although too hot to wear it yet. Have you ever knit with Nutiden yarn. I have some on order and am looking for the perfect pattern.

[@knittingthestash]

Oh great question! I have not worked with it, but I think Albina (of LB Handknits) has and she liked it--she might even have a pattern for it! I love the Sceal Gra sweater--I've worn it to teach and to go to graduations. Such a lovely piece!

[@catherinecroberts]

Thank you so much for this “depends” discussion on different ply yarns. Arming ourselves with the knowledge of the fiber will invite us to experiment. Piling just seems to be part and parcel of owning a garment with fibers. The question is what de-piler is the best and for what fiber.

[@knittingthestash]

Yes, totally, Catherine! I'm putting my sweaters through their regular end of season care: washing, de-pilling, mending, packing them away. They all need a little something :) and the normal pilling is part of the deal

[@sunnyw4148]

Thanks I will reconsider some single yarns. I am getting pickier these days

[@knittingthestash]

Cool, Sunny! There is a place for everything, eh?

[@silvamint]

I wonder if superwash vs non-superwash makes any difference in the way singles wear. I made a sweater in Tosh Merino Light (superwash singles) a few years ago, and it pilled so terribly so quickly I would never use it for a sweater again. But I've used non-superwash singles that have worn better... maybe because they're more likely to sort-of-felt?

[@knittingthestash]

Hi Lisa, sounds like the right idea to me . . . but it probably depends on the composition of the yarn, too. Tosh is 100% Merino which is notorious for pilling! So, it could have been that factor even more than the superwash . . . I find SW yarn and sweaters to be a somewhat incompatible duo sometimes . . . but it depends!!

[@silvamint]

@@knittingthestash Good point! The single-ply yarns I've encountered that weren't superwash were also more likely to not be merino.

[@jansmith7177]

Thank you for all the singles info. I just started spinning on a drop spindle and have done double plying, using the wool in colorwork so far. Maybe it's because I'm new to it, but I worry about not plying for fear my singles will not work in a project as well as commercially produced singles. Should I do something special in spinning the singles if I don't plan to ply?

[@knittingthestash]

Hi Jan, Great that you're working on your own singles! I suspect that the Rustic Heather Sport I was using was fulled when it was processed. Wet yarn, thwacked around a bit so that it slightly felts and the spin energy is spread out more evenly. But I don't know for sure how they process that base. When I spin Icelandic, it naturally wants to go to a certain twist and I don't overspin it . . . it tends to have pretty balanced energy :) Good luck! Let me know how you get on!

[@lindariccardohenderson1656]

Thank you for the update, can you tell me if the birch is merino yarn? Hurray not super wash

[@knittingthestash]

Hi Linda, The Birch colorway is 100% Canadian wool (so probably *some* merino), but it has some toothiness to it. And yes, non-superwash!

[@lindariccardohenderson1656]

Are you familiar w Briggs and little yarn, can you tell me the benefits of purchasing “the birch” vs Briggs and little wool

[@Ramphastos333]

Really informative, and a great video to pass along to two friends I'm teaching knitting. Why try to describe what you describe so well?!! Thank you!

[@knittingthestash]

One of the kindest compliments I've received ! Thank you so much!